Strange World, Strange Words
October 20th, 2006It’s a strange world we live in. Kim Jung Il is sorry to have detonated his bomb and pledges no new nuclear tests. Even more bizarre, he says he’s willing to come back to the table if the White House makes a minor diplomatic concession, though not specified what that would be. I’d imagine it involves pornography at the next talk session. Or maybe he wants to be reintroduced to Madeline Albright?
I’d point out, though, that contrary to what the news media is reporting, contrary to its simplification, Kim isn’t sorry that he offended the Japanese, Koreans and Americans; he’s apologizing to China. That is a good thing, as it means that the Chinese have genuinely put pressure on him to knock it off. Surprising, but good.
Anyone who doesn’t think Iraq is in a Civil War is an idiot, especially after things like this happen.
The Shiite militia run by anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr seized control of the southern Iraqi city of Amarah on Friday in one of the boldest acts of defiance yet by the country’s powerful, unofficial armies, witnesses and police said. A British military official said 25 gunmen and police were killed during gunbattles in the city of about 750,000. Mahdi Army fighters stormed three main police stations Friday morning, planting explosives that flattened the buildings, residents said. About 800 black-clad militiamen with Kalashnikov rifles and rocket-propelled grenades were patrolling city streets in commandeered police vehicles, eyewitnesses said. Other fighters had set up roadblocks on routes into the city and sound trucks circulated telling residents to stay indoors.
The fighting broke out as the United States acknowledged it’s military drive to crush violence in Baghad had largely failed and only days after sectarian killings raged through the region around Balad, killing about 100 people. Americans had only returned the Balad area, just north of Baghdad, to the control of the Iraqi army in August. About the same time, British forces turned over control of Amarah to Iraqi security forces. Thick black smoke billowed from behind the barricades of a police station. Much of the smoke came from vehicles set on fire inside the compound. Hooded gunmen roamed the streets. Some streets were entirely deserted except for the gunmen, but children were playing in others, pointing in the direction of gunfire. The militiamen later withdrew from their positions and lifted their siege of police headquarters under a temporary truce negotiated with an al-Sadr envoy. It wasn’t clear on Friday afternoon whether security forces had reasserted control over the city.
This is going to go on forever. I think this Administration should understand that you can’t go forcing something if it’s just not right and that this just isn’t right. A change of strategy is needed and that change involves the beginnings of withdrawal and a comprehensive dialogue with the Insurgents and Iraqi Government.
The most surprising news item I read today, though, is this. Let’s just put it this way: Vladimir Putin’s beautiful soul admires rape, especially when politicians — like the President of Israel — do it. Is there any judgement that this President can make accurately?